Based on these symptoms, what could be wrong?

Question

A close family member has always been more emotional, sensitive, and easily offended than the rest us. At age 23, she had a bizarre episode and basically became catatonic. Not sure what to do, we rushed her to the ER. She came out of her catatonia, but still acted very strange (uncooperative, inconsolable, frantic). The docs did a complete neurological exam but couldn't find anything. This person eventually goes back to being normal.

The same catatonic episode (with erratic behavior) recurs 18 months later, and again the docs don't know what is wrong.

The same thing happens 4 months later, and a month after that.

A year later, this person has an exremely disturbing episode where she is absolutely wild, cannot stop moving, cannot stop talking, talks about things that don't make sense, talks about how all her problems are other people's fault.

This behavior returns 3 weeks later.

Doctors have not been able to give a diagnosis, so what's wrong?

Other behaviors that happen around these episodes: depression, inability to keep a job, denial that it's a serious problem, severe hallucinations, confusion, inability to remember details of recent conversations, extreme desolation and sadness, anger about other's actions to help her, but still doesn't know how/ doesn't want to fix it herself.

She has had atleast 2 neurological evaluations, and all the tests that are involved in that. They didn't find anything neurologically suspicious. After going to the ER during all these episodes, she was evaluated by medical and psychiatric doctors. Once she had to go to a "psych ward" for 2 weeks. Other times she was put on a 72 hour hold and then released. The only thing the docs can tell her is that she could have some sort of depressive or anxiety disorder, or simply too much stress. But it KEEPS happening. She doesn't have insurance, and uses that as an excuse to avoid the whole problem altogether.
I just don't know what to do anymore.....

Answer 1

Suggesting this is a mere anxiety disorder or depression by the so-called 'experts' boggles my mind. This is much more serious.

What instantly comes to my mind with the knowledge that I possess from studying with a psychiatrist and loads of reading - is schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In addition, it could be caused by epilepsy.

She exhibits classic symptoms of these conditions. I don't know what these pundits have going on in their brains! Obviously, something is not right. If not what I suggested, than another disorder.

She needs different doctors! Another psychiatrist most definitely. And also, a neurologist and an indepth physical check up to rule out physical disease.

On the up side, if she does have bipolar or schizophrenia, it is highly treatable. So don't despair. Now, go find docs for her.

Answer 2

Sounds like she could possibly have some form of schizophrenia or something similiar, just based on that you said she has hallucinations and talks about things that don't make sense. Whatever it is, you need to take her to a psychiatrist or psychologist, NOT a regular doctor or ER doctor.

Answer 3

It could be several things but an ER is not the place to take her if this is true.

It could be several things combined into one. For instance severe abuse and trauma with bio polar is my first thought. But I would say she needs to see someone other than the ER.

I hate to say this but most likely the reason she isn't being "treated" is because she doesn't have insurance. If you call your health department they should be able to direct you in getting the needed care for her.

Answer 4

Has she been to a neurologist?

Do you see a pattern here with the episodes? They are happening closer together.

She should have some brain scans, MRI's, or cat scans. There could be some neurological reasons.

Answer 5

there is a disorder, actually more than one, and one of the ways it can come out is a catatonic state. like schizophrenia with depression or with psychosis or catatonic. i wish i had a psych manual to help me, but i remember that one of the categories is catatonic behavior. it's more unusual but a more common disorder

Answer 6

What kind of doctors wouldn't see anything wrong with this behavior? I think she needs to see a specialist... or the psych ward... sounds like she could be a danger to herself... there has to be a diagnosis for this!

Answer 7

Ok some of your symptoms sound like the classic symptoms of a UTI but then you arent peeing much. The symptoms that can be from a UTI in your list are: -Nausea -Dark urine -Sharp pains in lower back -Fatigue -dehydration The ones that arent related could be caused from .... Swelling of face= *Sinus infection *Drug allergy *Dental abscess *Sinusitis *Hypothyroidism *Hyperthyroidism *Edema *Orbital cellulitis *Cushing's syndrome *Perioorbital cellulitis *Fibroma And many more... The ones that arent related could be caused from .... Bad taste in mouth= *ulcerative gingivitis *Bronchiectasis *Dental caries *Gastritis *Glossitis *Pyloric stenosis *Stomatitis *Tonsiloliths *Not brushing teeth The ones that arent related could be caused from .... Shortness of breath= *asthma *carbon monoxide poisoning *chronic obstructive pulmonary disease *collapsed lung (pneumothorax) *hyperventilation syndrome *pneumonia *pulmonary embolism The ones that arent related could be caused from .... Itching on lower back= *psoriasis *eczema *Thyroid illness *Diabetes Mellitus. *Iron deficiency anemia. *Parasitic infections *Hyperparathyroidism *Body louse *Jaundice The ones that arent related could be caused from .... Less frequent urination= *Acute urine retention *Urinary obstruction *Urethral obstruction *Bladder cancer *Kidney stones *Urinary tract tumor *Urethral injury There are heaps more causes, your best bet is t see your Doc :) Sammy!

Answer 8

Need to hear a little more about the symptons. I'm thinking Borderline Personality Disorder (BPDO), or extreme bipolarism.

Answer 9

This person should see a psychiatrist for an evaluation. I wonder is there is any drug use involved. She needs to see someone to investigate these behaviors more thoroughly.

Answer 10

it sounds definatley like some kind of psychotic episode, possible Schizophernia ...is she hearing voices or hallucinating